I know I’ve touted the notion of an endless summer, but admittedly I am also a creature of habit. Thus September’s gravitational — or that is, educational! — pull has lured me in yet again. Of course, I am talking about going back to wine school!

Thus in the spirit of lifelong learning — or at least in attempts to avoid palate fatigue — why not make the time now to increase your wine enjoyment by expanding your wine knowledge? As a start, consider these wine ABCs.

Maetierra Atlantis 2017 Albariño, Spain ($24.98, #450569)

“A” is for Albariño. Do you keep returning to the same handful of grapes? It’s a diverse wine world, and much of the fun is seeking out — and learning about — different wine grapes from around the world. Albariño is certainly an intriguing grape. Best known from the northwestern reaches of Rías Baixas in Spain — though it is widely planted in Portugal as well — wine made from Albariño is typically citrusy and features higher acidity and a lighter texture, often with a salinity or minerality to boot. It’s all here in this bottle of Atlantis Albariño, which is delicate and supple overall.

“B” is for Barbera. It’s a grape. It’s shorthand for an Italian region. It’s just plain fun to sip! Yes, it is all the above as you pour a glass of Batasiolo’s Barbera d’Alba. This is Barbera grown in the northwestern Italian region of Piedmont, and as a bonus here’s a fun grape fact to impress your wine friends: Barbera is the third most planted red grape in Italy after Sangiovese and Montepulciano. This wine pours a slightly hazy garnet in the glass and presents an engaging mix of dark berry and herbs in a gutsy, almost gritty, albeit ruggedly elegant, style overall.

“C” is for Chardonnay. Sometimes what’s old deserves to be new again. From my casual conversations — and interactions — with wine fans, it seems that the ABC, or “Anything But Chardonnay,” movement still has pull. Well it’s time to call “fake news” on the “Chardonnay is boring” trope; and to start pull the cork on a bottle of Boschendal’s rich yet elegant Chard. It’s full of lemony and buttery goodness, with engaging texture and a fresh finish complemented by lingering wood spice. This is a great transition wine, whether the move is out of Summer into the robustness of Fall, or simply back into Chardonnay!

Bottom line: B, Pair with poached fish

The Swirl: Victoria International Wine Festival

The 2019 Victoria International Wine Festival returns to The Parkside Hotel and Spa (810 Humboldt St., Victoria) for three days of tastings and seminars from Sept. 19 to 21. Featuring more than 300 wines from 13 different countries, the festival offers numerous ticket options ranging in price from $40 to $200. For complete details head to vicwf.com.